Buffalo Plus Podcast – February 18, 2025

Episode: The BILLS plan for PAYING James COOK, chasing a STAR player, and why we NEED more 'SPORTS HATE'
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates

Episode Overview

In this lively, opinionated episode, the Buffalo Plus team dives deep into the immediate and future plans for paying running back James Cook, the complexities of the Bills’ roster-building (including how and if they should pursue a “dude” star player on defense), and a passionate plea for the return of genuine “sports hate” from fans. The conversation expertly blends in-depth Bills contract talk with candid humor, relatable analogies, and a healthy dose of locker-room banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. James Cook’s $15 Million “Request” and the Bills’ Running Back Philosophy

• Social Media Scrub & Contract Chess

  • James Cook recently removed the Bills from his Instagram and pinned a comment about seeking $15M/year. Hosts unpack whether this is posturing, a true demand, or a prelude to tough negotiations.
    • Mike Catalana: “All of us have a better chance to make $15 million from the Bills this year than James Cook. He's not making 15 million. That is not happening.” (00:15, 02:28)
  • The hosts agree Cook had an “outstanding year” but that $15M/year would put him among the league's elite pay for running backs—a spot the Bills historically don’t prioritize.
    • Dan Fates: “If he is going to be a guy that makes $15 million and becomes one of the highest paid running backs in the game, there needs to be a philosophical change with the Bills offense.” (05:15)
  • Example: Even with his production, Cook isn’t used as a bell-cow like Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry.
    • “If you're going to make a guy... $13 million a year, he better be getting 70 plus percent of your snaps.” (05:53)

• Negotiation Tactics & Team Reaction

  • The team sees the social media move as textbook early negotiation jockeying, not something that’ll spook GM Brandon Beane.
    • Jenna Cottrell: “We really just haven't seen someone be so adamant and upfront about ‘this is what I expect.’” (07:00)
    • Mike Catalana: “These are cards people play to get a little attention to it… I don't think [Beane is] looking at his phone going, ‘I can't believe this has happened.’” (07:21, 08:52)

• Salary Escalators & Roster Building

  • Cook’s salary rises this year due to performance escalators from the 2020 CBA; a reason this is the natural window for contract talks.
    • Mike Catalana: “...if we're going to do a longer-term deal, this is the time to do it.” (08:38)

Notable Quote:
“It's February. You'll have more leverage later.... It's way too early to be scrubbing your Instagram.” – Mike Catalana (02:28)

2. How to Prioritize Bills’ Pending Free Agents

• The hosts examine which of the four key 2022 draft class members should be extended first: Terrel Bernard (LB), Khalil Shakir (WR), Christian Benford (CB), James Cook (RB).

  • Mike Catalana: “There's one answer here. It's Benford, number one. He's a corner.” (21:19)
  • Jenna Cottrell: “Terrel Bernard to me is like the linchpin that gets everyone set… he has been above [expectations].” (21:24)
  • General agreement: Value and scarcity at CB puts Benford at the top, but Bernard’s unique impact as the defensive “linchpin” is not far behind.

• Rousseau’s Fifth-Year Option

  • Mike Catalana: “It's all guaranteed, it's all in the one year. So you have no ability to spread out the cap.” (19:14)

• Reality of Not Paying Everyone

  • Jenna Cottrell: “You may have to play a game where not everybody gets paid.” (18:41)
  • Discuss the risk of letting things ‘play out’ and the possibility of soured relationships.

Notable Quote:
“This is the only time I'm saying is you may have to play a game where not everyone gets paid.” – Jenna Cottrell (18:41)

3. Should the Bills Chase a Star Defensive Player? “Get a Dude” vs. Building Depth

• The Rousseau Contract Dilemma
  • Spotrac projects Russo at 4 years, $100M—comparable to Montez Sweat.
    • Mike Catalana: “I like Russo on the one-year deal. They couldn’t afford to let him walk. Now they just don’t have anybody agreed.” (31:26)
  • General consensus: He's good but not “great”; overpaying could be a major mistake.
  • Strong skepticism that the Bills will—or should—pay Russo that elite money unless he has a genuine breakout.

Notable Exchange:

• Dan Fates: “My fear is that this is who Greg Rousseau is: a good player, but not a great player, and he may get a great contract.” (38:15)

• Should Buffalo Target a Superstar like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby?

  • The possibility of trading for a game-breaking edge rusher is debated.
  • Mike Catalana is wary: “Because of the failed draft picks and… you haven’t hit on those, it makes it tough to go out and make that swing.” (43:29)
  • Dan Fates is all-in on the idea: “I don’t care about depth… I want guys that are just game-wreckers that have one thing that is unblockable… like Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett.” (45:49)
  • Reality check: With ongoing cap hits for Von Miller and Matt Milano, it’s a complicated financial juggling act.

Notable Quote:
“I want guys that have the 102 mile per hour fastballs. I don't want the pitcher that can throw five pitches… I want guys that have the plus-plus traits.” – Dan Fates (45:49)

4. The Value of “Sports Hate”

• A major theme at the end is the need to bring back genuine, harmless “hate” for rival teams—not players.
  • Mike Catalana: “I think there needs to be more hate in sports, and I'm talking about hating for a team, not the individual person… There needs to be more of that in sports. Get back to where you despise it.” (36:36, 52:59)
  • He reminisces about loathing the Cowboys and Celtics and celebrates the “sickness” of seeing rival teams lose.

Notable Quote:
“It was borderline with enjoying seeing the Eagles win. It was that good to see them [the Chiefs] lose because of the Bills and because of all that we've seen. I think that's good. I think it's good for sports.” – Mike Catalana (53:44)

5. Lighter Moments & Podcast Personality

• The hosts share humorous, self-deprecating stories about cheating in school, home improvement mishaps, and overcoming Buffalo winters.
• Dan Fates jokes about looking up how to “grout” his tiles: “I had to Google how to do it. And it was like, what are you saying?” (56:15)
• Anecdotes about Super Bowl re-watching habits, “salary cap isn’t real” jokes, and office banter keep the show grounded in real Bills fandom.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• James Cook Negotiation:
  “It's February. You'll have more leverage later.... It's way too early to be scrubbing your Instagram.” (02:28 – Mike Catalana)

• Philosophy on Paying RBs:
  “If he is going to be a guy that makes $15 million and becomes one of the highest paid running backs in the game, there needs to be a philosophical change with the Bills offense.” (05:15 – Dan Fates)

• On Good Not Great DE Play:
  “My fear is that this is who Greg Rousseau is: a good player, but not a great player, and he may get a great contract.” (38:15 – Dan Fates)

• Sports Hate Rant:
  “I think there needs to be more hate in sports, and I'm talking about hating for a team, not the individual person.” (36:36, 52:59 – Mike Catalana)
  “That is why you, my friend, are a Hall of Famer... Bring hate back.” (53:01 – Dan Fates)

• About the Salary Cap:
  “The salary cap isn't real. You always say if they would, if they wanted to, they would… at some point, bad buys are bad buys for the team.” (43:41 – Dan Fates)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------| | James Cook’s $15M Request & Social Media Tactics| 01:52–07:39 | | How RB Contracts Sway Offensive Philosophy | 05:15 | | CBA Salary Escalators & Roster Building | 07:46–08:51 | | Ranking Pending Free Agents (Bernard, Shakir, Benford, Cook) | 18:41–24:36 | | Rousseau’s $100M Projection & DE Talk | 31:04–38:41 | | Should the Bills Chase a Superstar on Defense | 40:09–44:38 | | The Case for “Sports Hate” | 52:59–54:45 | | Cheating in School & Home Renovation Banter | 19:35–20:55; 56:02–58:39 | | Winter in Buffalo & Closing Remarks | 59:19–60:42 |

Tone & Takeaways

This episode blends informed analysis with inside-joke warmth and plain-spoken realism. The hosts share a clear-eyed view of Bills roster challenges while keeping the conversation authentic and relatable. Their open disdain for “soft” fandom and “salary cap isn’t real” ideology taps into the emotional core of Buffalo fans.

If you’re a Bills fan seeking honest contract talk, pragmatic views on “going big” for a star, and a reminder to not cuddle up to rivals, this episode is must-listen.

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